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Monday, September 29, 2014

Do what you love and you'll love what you do... that's what they say anyway.

In thinking about and pursuing Godly insight from others about what's next for me, I came across these ideas more than once:

What percentage of your time at work do you spend doing what you love?
VS.
What percentage of your time do you spend doing what you have to do?

Do your best to put a number one it. What would you say?

I had one friend say that you should have a 75% Love to Do vs. 25% Have to Do ratio. Another said as long as you're at 50% and 50% you'll probably be okay and feel satisfied in your job.

I don't think the point is an exact percentage that we need to land on, because it's probably different for everyone. But still:

Are you doing anything you love at work? Can you do more?
How can you start seeing your "Have to Dos" as essential to your work and therefore enjoyable?
What is your ideal ratio? What does that explain about how satisfied you are at your job?

Monday, September 22, 2014

I've now owned and used a smart phone for about six months. Here's a review of the experience (not of the particular phone, but of using a smart phone in general.)

The Good: Having your data and to-do list tracking super close to you all the time. Especially in the midst of a busy summer season, it was super beneficial to be able to access nearly everything I can on my computer on my phone. Taking good quality pictures any time any place has also been a big benefit.

The Bad: Being distracted. It is so easy to "have to check" weather, email, tasks list, etc. when you really have nothing to check at all. Admittedly this was an issue when I had a regular phone, but the number of "things to check" on a smart phone can be unending.

The Plan: I'm already doing this, but I'll hold to it still: NO GAMES. This is huge. Rechecking the weather for the 12th time is silly, but also harmless and easier to see the foolishness of... Games will steal your time and focus like no other.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

On the personal side: Your motivation for donating would have to be greater than financial gain at tax time. You would have to actually believe in the cause you were donating to, not just believe in a tax break.

On the organizational side: Regardless of whether that ever happens, shouldn't we (anyone in the categories above) be worth donating to regardless of the tax break? If the people who give to your organization do so only because of a tax break, how much do they actually care about your mission?

Monday, September 15, 2014

We spend a lot of time trying to discern God's will. I think a great question (originally told to me by Bill Allison of Cadre Ministries) is: "What does God have for me next?

I think that type of question is what Jesus kept on his mind each day. In Mark 1, Jesus is at the height of popularity at a certain town in Galilee, so much so that the disciples told him "Everyone is looking for you." How did Jesus respond?

But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” (Mark 1:38 NLT)

He wasn't as concerned as to what God had been doing yesterday, as much as he was asking... what does God have for me next? Jesus knew God had a different plan than the conventional one.

For me? Two things God has for me next:
1) To be a dad (again) for the next 18 years. Coryn Elijah was born to us on Friday morning. He's healthy and already becoming a part of the family.
2) To continue serving at COCUSA but in the role of Executive Director. I can't wait to see where God takes Camp next.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Two and half years ago I posted this blog. It's fitting again because we'll have a new baby anytime:

Another pregnancy related thought:

Adrian (our 4-year old) has been pretty excited about his new baby brother arriving. Three nights ago, as he was going to bed he announced, "The baby is coming tonight."

When the morning came (and no new baby with it) I was prepared for disappointment, but instead, he was just as happy as before and announced "The baby is coming today."

And two nights ago, after the day gone by with no baby... Again, no disappointment, just a confident announcement: "The baby is coming tonight." (As I'm writing this it's the next morning and still no baby.)

Shouldn't our attitude be similar when we think of the return of Jesus? He's coming and we're confident of that, but we're also resting in his timing and not disappointed if he doesn't.